Grits are a southern comfort food made from cornmeal. You can usually find it accompanied by fried chicken and gravy-smothered vegetables.
Grits are high in carbs, which means that you can’t normally have this dish on the keto diet. We use cauliflower rice as a base for a low-carb grit that tastes like the real thing minus the starch!
This Keto Shrimp and Creamy Grits recipe is inspired by Factor 75’s Keto Meal Delivery Menu.
Factor 75 is a company that delivers healthy and chef-prepared meals to your door. For the latest list of keto-friendly dishes on their menu, check it here!
Cauliflower is naturally high in fiber and B vitamins, which are needed for energy. It provides antioxidants and phytonutrients that can protect against cancer (1). It also contains fiber to enhance weight loss and digestion, and choline, which is essential for learning and memory.
Shrimp provide the seafood taste and there are many keto shrimp recipes you can make. They are low in calories yet rich in nutrients. They do not contain any carbs and their main “wealth” is iodine, which is required for proper thyroid function and brain health (2, 3).
Research shows that when you don’t get enough iodine, your thyroid may not be able to synthesize thyroid hormone. This can lead to serious problems such as functional and developmental disabilities (4).
Shrimp is also a great source of protein and omega 3 fatty acids to help support heart health. They contain more than 20 different vitamins and minerals, including selenium, which is a mineral that may help reduce inflammation and promote heart health.
Finally, shrimp contains astaxanthin, which is an antioxidant that has been shown to protect heart health (5). Astaxanthin also helps stimulate the immune system (6).
When combined with cauliflower, our keto shrimp and creamy grits recipe makes an excellent anti-inflammatory dish that can help aid in your weight-loss journey.
We recommend serving this dish with parsley and a drizzle of lemon. The fresh lemon contributes vitamin C and a sweet flavor while the parsley adds antioxidants and a touch of green!
Let’s Do It!
Add the shrimp to a bowl and season with paprika, salt, and pepper.
Boil the water. Add the riced cauliflower and cook for up to 10 minutes. Add the butter, heavy cream, shredded cheese, garlic, salt and pepper to the cauliflower.
Stir and simmer for about 3 to 4 minutes. Add more water if needed. Once the desired consistency is achieved, remove from heat and set a side.
Melt butter in a frying pan and add shrimp. Cook for about 2 minutes on each side. Add the garlic and parsley.
Plate the grits and top with shrimp. Serve warm.
More Low-Carb Shrimp Recipes You Can Try:
- Mexican Shrimp Avocado Cauliflower Rice Bowl
- Raclette Party with Shrimp, Mushroom and Asparagus
- Shrimp Cauliflower Fried Rice
- Creamy Shrimp Alfredo with Zucchini Noodles
- Keto creamy Tuscan shrimp
Keto Shrimp and Cauliflower Grits
Ingredients
For shrimp:
- 6 oz shrimp peeled and deveined
- ½ tsp paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp butter
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp parsley chopped (plus more for serving)
For grits:
- 1 cup cauliflower rice
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 tbsp butter
- ⅛ tsp granulated garlic
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup water more, if needed
For serving:
- 1 tsp fresh parsley chopped
- lemon wedge optional
Instructions
- Place shrimp into a bowl. Add paprika and season with salt and pepper.
- In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add riced cauliflower and cook for 8-10 minutes. When cauliflower starts to soften, add butter, heavy cream, shredded cheese, garlic, salt and pepper and stir well. Simmer for 3-4 minutes or until thickened and cauliflower is tender. Add more water if needed to prevent burning.
- Melt a tablespoon of butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add shrimp and cook for 1.5-2 minutes per side. Add garlic powder and chopped parsley. Give it a good stir and cook for a minute more.
- Spoon grits into a plate or bowl. Top with shrimp, sprinkle with chopped parsley, garnish with a lemon wedge and serve immediately.
